Quick and Easy Cajun and Creole Recipes

Citrus-Marinated Shrimp with Louis Sauce

Five fruits flavor this appetizer of Citrus-Marinated Shrimp With Louis Sauce.

Recipe: Citrus-Marinated Shrimp with Louis Sauce

Cajun Chicken Pasta

For cleanup in a snap, serve Cajun Chicken Pasta right out of the pan. Add salad and dinner rolls to complete your menu.

Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta

Muffulettas

This classic sandwich makes for a super-fast Cajun supper. For a quick appetizer version of this sandwich try Easy Mini Muffulettas.

Recipe: Muffulettas

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

You'll never make Red Beans and Rice from a box again after you try this easy slow-cooker recipe.

Recipe: New Orleans Red Beans And Rice

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Chicken-and-Sausage Gumbo

After preparing the roux, most of the time spent making gumbo is basically hands-free. You’ll just need to stir the pot occasionally to prevent sticking. This flavorful stew recipe is worth the effort.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Sausage Gumbo

New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp

Spicy, buttery, and decidedly hands-on, this dish is a New Orleans classic. Crusty French bread―and plenty of napkins―are traditional accompaniments to New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp.

Recipe: New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp

Photo: Charles Walton

1-2-3 Jambalaya

Smoked sausage and Creole seasoning deliver long-simmered flavor to this hearty Louisiana favorite.

Recipe: 1-2-3 Jambalaya

Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew

Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew is similar to gumbo, but without the roux. The recipe gets its thick glossiness from a cornstarch-and-water slurry that’s stirred in at the end.

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew

Learn the secrets to perfectly boiled shrimp.

Okra Creole

Serve flavorful Okra Creole as a side or over rice for an easy entrée. This recipe uses frozen okra as a budget and time saver.

Recipe: Okra Creole

Crawfish Étouffée

This recipes call for fresh crawfish because they’re readily available in Cajun country. Don’t fret if you can’t get your hands on the fresh seafood―frozen crawfish tails work very well.

Recipe: Crawfish Étouffée

Cajun Shrimp Casserole

We offer make-ahead and freezing instructions on this luscious Cajun Shrimp Casserole. Serve with spring mix lettuce drizzled with red wine vinaigrette.

Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Crab-and-Shrimp Étouffée

A combination of two favorites―fresh seafood and rice―tastes great in Crab-and-Shrimp Étouffée. You can serve it on fine china at formal gatherings or down-home style right from the pot on the stove.

Recipe: Crab-and-Shrimp Étouffée

Muffuletta Calzones

Our Muffuletta Calzones have all the tasty traits of the classic sandwich: crusty bread filled with layers of provolone, ham, salami, and the essential olive salad. For even more flavor, add 1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning and 1⁄2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper to the cheese blend.

Recipe: Muffuletta Calzones

Chicken-Andouille Gumbo

Make Chicken-Andouille Gumbo the day ahead to save time. Fresh andouille and crusty french bread are essential to this dish.

Recipe: Chicken-Andouille Gumbo

Shrimp-and-Grits Eggs Benedict

If you thought the popular Lowcountry dish shrimp and grits couldn’t be improved. Try a delicious twist on this recipe using fried grits squares, asparagus spears, and a creamy shrimp sauce.

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Grits Eggs Benedict

Try more Eggs Benedict variations

Creole Fried Rice

Chop the ingredients ahead, and make the rice the day before to have Creole Fried Rice on the table in nothing flat. It’s also a great use for leftover rice―just be sure you have 3 cups on hand.

Recipe: Creole Fried Rice

Cajun-Baked Catfish

Serve not-too-spicy Cajun-Baked Catfish with your favorite hush puppies and coleslaw.

Recipe: Cajun-Baked Catfish

Cajun Corn Maque Choux

With only 8 ingredients Cajun Corn Maque Choux makes a quick and zesty accompaniment to your menu.

Recipe: Cajun Corn Maque Choux

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Easy Chicken Gumbo

Cajun seasonings make the flavor of this gumbo complex, but the prep work is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. The gumbo and our Okra Pilau can be ready in 48 minutes.

In step one, adding flour to hot oil creates a fast and flavorful roux.

Recipe: Easy Chicken Gumbo